SIR Alex Ferguson has ploughed £250,000 into research for a drug hailed as “potentially the biggest cancer breakthrough in decades”.

Fergie, 72, lost both parents to lung cancer and is the face of a Scottish Government campaign aimed at early detection of the disease.

The ex-Manchester United boss made the donation after meeting London Imperial College Professor Agamemnon Epenetos in a bar.

The oncologist unveiled his work last month and showed how a protein codenamed TR4 acts as a “Trojan horse” to enter the nucleus of a cancerous stem cell, causing it to shut down and die.

The research was funded by grants and individual investors.

A source said: “A chance drink with Sir Alex resulted in a cheque for £250,000 being handed to Professor Epenetos on the spot.”

Professor Lucio Miele, of the University of Mississippi Cancer Institute in the US, said: “Drugs against cancer stem cells, like Trojantec’s TR4, are potentially one of the biggest cancer breakthroughs in a decade.”

The research is now looking to go to clinical trial. If successful, it could change the lives of millions.

Sir Alex agreed to front the Detect Cancer Early campaign after losing dad Alexander, 66, in 1979 and mum Elizabeth, 64, in 1986.

At the launch, he said: “Things are different now. Finding it early could save your life.”